Stella Jozefin

I cut my first teeth. It’s a tiny, little one on the lower left. (I won’t let you see it though.) Mummy is proud and singing Mazeltov.
12:07 PM Feb 12th

Mama and Dada kept waving at me. So today I waved back (with my left arm) for the first time. They like it. Me too.
9:07 AM Feb 11th

On Monday I figured out how to crawl forward. In little increments.
9:07 AM Feb 11th

I am finally asleep. I don’t like colds!
12:22 PM Feb 8th

I hab a cold today! I am even cute when I need to blow by dose! I woke up on the bed and tried to crawl out to find mom. She got me in time!
10:50 AM Feb 8th

This morning I had cheerios for the first time. It’s a nice toy to play with too!
9:40 AM Feb 6th

Yesterday we played kukucs (peekaboo for non-Hungarian speakers). Yeah, it was fun.
9:40 AM Feb 6th

I’ve been saying dada and mama with intent for a few days. They finally noticed.
9:39 AM Feb 6th

I am skyping with apu!
3:32 PM Jan 28th

Lunch – Sweet tato and cucumber spears! I had a blast scraping and chewing. Yum. Now I am telling mom in my loud voice that I am tired.
1:46 PM Jan 28th

Last night I slept from 10 pm until 4 am! Mama considers that a sleep victory. I was really tired after a day out with Christina and Daniel.
9:08 AM Jan 28th

saying ‘mama’! Since last weekend she has added ‘mama’ to her repertoire of ‘dad’, ‘baba’, and ‘woof’! I am also really missing ‘da’
9:05 AM Jan 28th

I am full-o-beans and will not go to sleep. Mom has tried three times since 8:15 and I am currently sitting up and playing. 9:06 PM Jan 25th from web

I just perfected the reverse crawl. Mama has to child-proof tomorrow! I’m sooo big! I traveled 3 feet in ten seconds and was so very proud! 7:54 PM Jan 25th from web

I was praised for chattering during the rabbi’s speech today. They tell me mine is the voice of the future and hope for tomorrow! 3:14 PM Jan 25th from web

Playing with my alef-bet ball in a patch of sunshine on the floor of the library. This is the life! 9:34 AM Jan 25th from web

Playing librarian at the CG Jewish Community Library with mama. Where’s papa? 9:18 AM Jan 25th from web

This morning I pulled myself up to sitting from lying on my tummy. Ah the possibilities! I am trying so hard to crawl. Know any good tricks? 7:40 AM Jan 25th from web

I rocked on all fours just now! It was glorious! 8:05 PM Jan 7th from web

I got my knees under me and scooted forward today. Crawling, here I come! I also pulled myself up today. And I had peas and lettuce. Yum! 9:49 PM Jan 6th from web

I’ve discovered tantrums! Mom tries not to laugh but it is funny to see me throw a fit for more tummy kisses. We are working on it 11:16 AM Jan 5th from web

I started saying dadada two days ago and it is currently my favorite expression. This morning I tried sweet ‘tato for the first time. Mmmm. 11:14 AM Jan 5th from web

This morning papa heard me say babababa and mama heard me say woof! 8:10 AM Dec 25th from web

Last night I had mashy carrots for the first time. I ate an entire baby carrot all by myself. However, I really wanted the duck and chutney! 8:08 AM Dec 25th from web

For my metric family: 19 lbs is 8.6 kg (while 18 lbs is 8.1 kg). Similarly 27.75 inch is 70.5 cm (and 25 inch is 63.5 cm.) 11:16 AM Dec 24th from web

I just got back from the doctor. I am healthy and big: 19 lbs and 27.75 inch (50 days ago I was 18 lbs and 17 inch.) 11:08 AM Dec 24th from web

This am I woke up as an older baby. I roll and reach – so close to creeping! I nash my non-teeth to tell mom I’m hungry! Applesauce please! 6:11 PM Dec 22nd from web

I adored the mango mom gave me in moment of weakness on Wed. I am trying to get mom to give me mango lassi instead of of breast milk, now. 6:08 PM Dec 22nd from web

Today and yesterday mom gave me spaghetti squash. I am not amused. 6:07 PM Dec 22nd from web

Today I got rice cereal. Yum! I really wanted to hold the spoon myself so mama gave me my own. I didn’t get too messy but did nab the bowl! 10:05 AM Dec 17th from web

I also had water for the first time. And that’s not all. It was out of a cup! 9:28 PM Dec 15th from web

I tried broccoli for the first time today. I think I liked it. 9:27 PM Dec 15th from web

I wrote this myself: o90 b b b b b b b b b b b ee c x b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b 8:05 PM Dec 12th from web

I giggled my head off tonight when mama kissed my tummy and said “kicky kicky kicky!” I can now kick and jump (in bouncie) on command. 21 minutes ago from web 7:59 PM Dec 12th from web

Papa got my cold so he is snoozing on the couch. Sorry, Papa! 12:52 PM Dec 11th from web

Today’s adventure is with pumpkin! I liked it best mixed with applesauce and mama-milk! It makes a better finger-paint than lunch! 12:51 PM Dec 11th from web

I have my first cold. Sniffles and teething=bad combination. Thank goodness mama is nursing me nonstop and letting me sleep in her arms. 3:49 PM Dec 9th from web

I tried banana today! I am not sure I like it yet. Give me time. Next up: pumpkin! 12:06 PM Dec 8th from web

(Oh, and last night we read a Hungarian non-story book. It had photos and important words like the “dolly that holds the hose.”) 9:47 AM Dec 6th from web

I just got cleaned up after my first meal of big girl food. Applesauce-a-mama. I liked holding the spoon and new sensations. (Pics later) 9:46 AM Dec 6th from web

I am really interested in light and shadows for the past few weeks. It delights and sometimes upsets me to see shadows. 2:03 PM Dec 2nd from web

I turned over the same direction twice for the first time an hour ago. Which means I roll; i.e. I am no longer stationary. 8:04 AM Dec 2nd from web

Last night I fell asleep on my tummy for the first time; my face buried in my books. 8:31 PM Nov 30th from web

From http://twitter.com/stellajo

I learned how to bang my toys against the tray on my swing. 10:23 PM Nov 28th from web

Last night she kept putting her head down on the pillow and looking up sideways at Grampa Kevin, in the first game we have seen her play. 9:33 AM Nov 28th from web

Stella is doing something new: she is resting her head on mama’s chest, even when she is awake. It is so cuddly and sweet. Mama love it! 9:32 AM Nov 28th from web

Snuggling with daddy, who is watching Kung Fu Panda. 9:31 AM Nov 28th from web

http://twitter.com/stellajo

I am such a big girl! Mommy is so proud. Watch for new videos of me on my site. www.stellajozefin.com 5:38 PM Nov 26th from web

I just rolled from my back to my front and then back again for the first time! Now that I can do it, I am doing it repeatedly- Dad filmed it 5:37 PM Nov 26th from web

I am also “rolling effortlessly” 3:50 PM Nov 26th from web

I sat unassisted today for a couple of minutes! I still topple but I’m getting better. Mom told me I have to sit up before I can have solids 3:49 PM Nov 26th from web

Nursing. MMMMmmm, nums. 1:11 PM Nov 25th from web

Napping on the couch. Ahh. Now mama can eat her avocado toast and play online! 12:41 PM Nov 25th from web

trying to fall asleep in my crib – I have the no-sleepies! 11:50 AM Nov 25th from web

And yesterday I waved bye-bye to Granya! 11:30 AM Nov 25th from web

I have been rolling over since Halloween and blowing raspberries since my 4 month birthday. 11:29 AM Nov 25th from web

This morning I turned the pages of my favorite book all by myself! Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. http://tinyurl.com/5z9erz 11:29 AM Nov 25th from web

Teething! I am a drooly, poopy, whiny girl who has just taken to the pacifier again after a few months hiatus. It satisfies my mouthiness. 11:25 AM Nov 25th from web

Source: http://twitter.com/stellajo

I realized lat in the day that we did not take any photos today. So I grabbed one on our way home from the doctor’s. She didn’t like to be put in the car-seat as you can see. But once we’re on the road she is fine.

BTW: She is 11 pounds and 15 ounces. (5.41 kg)

As part of the Erev Shabbat service on Friday July 25 we had a baby naming ceremony. Being Shabbat we did not take pictures, but I can share some of the words that have been spoken.

Granya Jaen recited the poem she wrote for the occasion,

Thank you Creator of All
The Love that is us
For this little girl
That you’ve placed in our trust

Please provide us with foresight
To help show her the way
That is worthy of all.
That we’re blessed with today.

She begins now with Family
And friends and thanksgiving
To hopefully honor our past one’s
And the future ones living

Your grandmother’s blessing
To Chava Shoshana- Stella Jozefin
A welcome you among us
A happy little being.

Granddad Rick read a poem by e. e. cummings,

we can never be born enough.
we are human beings for whom birth is a supremely welcome mystery.
the mystery of growing, the mystery which happens only
and whenever we are faithful to ourselves.
life for eternal us is now.

Anya read a poem by Rabbi Judith Shanks, as adapted by Rabbi Maggie Wenig,

Poem of Thanksgiving

With all my heart, with all my soul, with all my might
I thank You, G-d, for the gift of this wonderful child.
I thank You, for a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery and a speedy recovery.

With all my heart, with all my soul, with all my might
I pray for the continued health of this child.
I pray for her to b strong in mind and body,
To grow steadily and sturdily in a home filled with joy.
I pray for her to become a person who greets the world
With passion, courage, humility, humor and patience.

With all my heart, with all my soul, with all my might
I pray for G-d to watch over me and my family.
I pray for the ability to love and nurture this child
To provide for her and to educate her,
To understand her and to allow her the freedom to grow.

I, Gabor, spoke a few words without notes. As far as I can recall this is what I said.

As you just heard we named our daughter Chava Shoshana. The names honor our grandparents as my maternal grandmother’s name was Eva and my maternal grandmother’s name Zsuzsanna. The names Chava and Shoshana are the Hebrew versions of these names. Anya’s maternal grandmother was called Josephine. I hope to transfer the emotional, mental and spiritual love my grandmothers cherished me with. I hope Chavah Shoshana will reciprocate this love to others and will be an instrument in making the word a better place.

We know it is bit cheesy, but yesterday we could not resists buying a jumbo inflatable Stella Artois bottle from eBay.